Indonesia bumphead parrotfish around hard coral shutterstock 401092828b opt SPAWNING RITUALS IN PALAU
sea breams and bumphead parrotfish
March 2 – 16, 2024 a guided small group trip


Sam’s Tours & Unique Dive Expeditions are experts in diving during full & new moon cycles when different fish species gather in huge numbers to spawn. Wild excitement. This small group trip within the Dive Advice Network is led by two colleagues from Behind the Mask. Only 6 guests per trip. 


  NEW MOON EXPEDITION


So, during the full moon, it’s the snappers who put on the show … but when it’s time for the new moon, it’s the bumphead parrotfish. And, oh, what a show it is ! Often seen patrolling the reefs in schools of up to 20 or more, these encounters are favorites for many divers, but imagine being in the water with nearly a thousand of these uniquely weird but beautiful creatures!

The New Moon Expedition takes you to a remote dive site, where the bumpheads begin forming groups early in the morning. Awaiting the exact time for spawning, hundreds of bumphead parrot fish from all around the area come together for an unforgettable event.

In the build-up, you’ll observe the behavior of the males, as they begin their display of dominance, attempting to attract as many mating partners as possible.  As the females continue to gather, the school spills out into the blue where the tension erupts into a climatic mating dance.


IS UNIQUE DIVING FOR YOU?


Sam’s Tours has partnered with Unique Dive Expeditions the past couple of years to offer some of the full moon and new moon trips.

Due to the nature of the strong currents affected by the moon phase, which also brings aggregations of fish together to spawn at dawn, Unique Dive Expeditions is not for everyone.

Unique Dive Expeditions is only open to experienced divers (over 50 dives) who are thoroughly comfortable in the water.  Divers must be able to swim against strong currents and deploy their own surface marker buoy in case they separate from the group.


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PALAU CENTRAL HOTEL


The Palau Central Hotel offers newly renovated Western style rooms in the center of Palau´s downtown only steps away from restaurants, shopping and activities. Palau International Airport is only 15 minutes away and the dive center Sam´s Tours is only 7 minutes away by car. The hotel offers also a restaurant, a spa area, outdoor swimming pool and a conference center.

Standard Room – Rock Island View

Enjoy the tranquility of Palau’s stunning Rock Island Views in this air conditioned, non-smoking room. Features include one king bed or two twin beds, rain shower, vanity and closet, reading lights, in-house safe, Serta® mattress, hypoallergenic pillows, microfiber comforter and all standard hotel amenities.

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SAMS TOURS


The friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff at this PADI 5-Star National Geographic Center lead daily trips for divers of all skill levels to Palau’s world-class dive sites and WWII wrecks.

RELAXED ATMOSPHERE, PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE

Sam’s Tours is located in Koror, Palau. You can stay at any hotel in Koror and Dive with Sam’s.

You will have complimentary NITROX up to 36% (with proof of certification), full-day or half-day trips and customized private charters, for individuals, families and groups.

The Digital Photo Center offers digital camera rentals, download services, Apple iMACs with Aperture, and high-speed DSL internet access.

For non-diving guests, there’s a selection of breath-taking tours – both on and off the water – that include rock island tours, snorkel tours, Jellyfish Lake tours, Palau’s top rated kayak trips with Planet Blue Kayak Tours, big island sight-seeing tours, waterfall tours, cultural tours and “around the town” shopping shuttles.

At day’s end, Bottom Time Bar & Grill – home port of the Royal Belau Yacht Club – offers relaxed casual dining and tropical sunset cocktails right on the water at Sam’s Tours overlooking the beautiful rock islands. It’s the best place in town for fresh sashimi and ice cold Red Rooster Beer, Palau’s only micro-brewed beer!


GETTING THERE, WHAT’S INCLUDED, RATES & ITINERARY


{slider How to get there? Fly into Koror (ROR) Palau and we will pick you up on arrival… See trip details …|dest|closed}

March 2 – 16, 2024

Price per person in a shared double room 5.199 €

Included:

  • Airport transfers and all necessary transfers on Palau
  • 14 nights accommodation in a double room at Palau Central Hotel, Rock Island View room with breakfast
  • A total of 20 dives on a private boat with only 6 guests in total
  • 2 or 3 tank dives incl. tanks, weights, Nitrox (up to 32%), guides and boat
  • 2 days “spawning dives”
  • Unlimited diving at Sam’s Macro Wall
  • Lunch and refreshments on tour days
  • Excursions include transportation, English speaking tour guide, lunch, drinking water

Not included:

  • International flights to Koror
  • Drinks and meals on Palau
  • Koror State Rock Island Permit Fee incl. Jellyfish Lake – $100.00 per person, valid for 10 consecutive days. Non-transferable
  • Peleliu State Permit Fee for divers – $30.00 per person, valid for 10 consecutive days. Non-transferable
  • Peleliu State Permit Fee for all other water activities – $10.00 per person, valid for 10 consecutive days. Non-transferable
  • All credit card payments at Sam’s Tours Palau are subject to a 3.5% credit card fee
  • Trip cancellation and medical insurance
  • Extra dives or excursions, personal expenses
  • Equipment rental

Daily Itinerary

02.03.2024

Arrival, check in hotel & dive center

03.03.2024

2 boat dives with Sam’s Tours

04.03.2024

2 boat dives with Sam’s Tours + excursion to Jellyfish Lake (snorkelling)

05.03.2024

3 boat dives “Spawning Sea breams” with Sam’s Tours

06.03.2024

Day off

07.03.2024

3 boat dives “Spawning Bumpheads” with Sam’s Tours

08.03.2024

Day trip German Lighthouse

09.03.2024

2 boat dives + dive Chandelier Cave with Sam’s Tours

10.03.2024

2 boat dives Peleliu + half day tour Peleliu

11.03.2024

3 boat dives

12.03.2024

Day off

13.03.2024

2 boat dives with Sam’s Tours

14.03.2024

Rock Island Tour with BBQ (snorkelling)

15.03.2024

Cultural Land Tour

16.03.2024

Departure

Please note that trips such as spawning event are a very special experience which can never be guaranteed. There is no guarantee of an animal encounter or the perfect underwater photo. It is nature, just like everywhere else. The beauty lies in its unpredictability.

We highly recommend DiveAssure insurance which also covers force majeure and single missed days of diving due to sickness. Feel free to ask us about it.. 

Further extensions are always possible and we’re happy to assist! 

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